Main menu

Teams' engine status could affect upcoming IndyCar races

Scott Dixon is on his last engine with six races left this season. He'll face a 10-place grid penalty if and when his Target Chip Ganassi Racing team installs a new one. Photo by LAT PHOTOGRAPHIC

The Izod IndyCar Series on Monday provided an update regarding the status of fresh engines remaining for each team for the remainder of the 2012 season.

With six races remaining, each team's engine status could influence the results of upcoming events as the season draws to a close.

According to IndyCar rules, each full-season entrant is provided with no more than five new engines throughout the year. Using more than five fresh engines will result in a penalty. The punishment comes in the form of a 10-place starting-grid penalty for the race at which an unapproved engine change is made. Engines beyond the fifth fresh engine may be all new or partly used.

Of note, championship points leader Will Power has one fresh Chevrolet engine remaining, while Ryan Hunter-Reay—who trails power by only three points—has two Chevys left in his pocket. Third-ranked Scott Dixon is on his fifth and final Honda engine. Engines are supposed to last approximately 2,000 miles each before they are changed.